Degree Requirements

Examines the theoretical foundation of American government, the U.S. Constitution, political behavior, interest groups, political parties, Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court.

Required of majors, this course introduces students to the ways in which government and politics is studied in the discipline. Students will examine and compare a number of especially qualitative methods, in preparation for the second course in the sequence and also work in other courses.

Students learn about various research methods, including historical case studies, comparative case studies, survey research, and quantitative data analysis, and develop the research proposal they begin in PO 200 into a full project.
Prerequisite: Take PO-200

Students will study and practice essential forms of writing in the discipline, including book reviews, policy briefs, and opinion pieces, to prepare them for success in other courses and for work in the field.

Focuses on fundamental factors in understanding international relations. Sovereignty, nation-states, national interests, power, diplomacy, United Nations, war, terrorism, ethnicity, low-intensity warfare, the environment, and global politics are studied.

Examines the theories and practices surrounding popular government from its origins to the present day. Topics include representation, presidentialism, and democratization.

Survey of organizational theories and professional skills useful to those contemplating public sector service. Addresses public service context, planning, budgeting, communication, leadership, and other skills.

Advanced study of a particular theme or topic in a seminar setting.

An independent research project conducted under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

The course is designed to introduce students to the field of global studies by promoting an understanding of the interconnectedness and interdependence of global processes. Global studies imparts an appreciation for the complexity of world societies and broadens our understanding of challenges through an interdisciplinary approach to twenty-first century problems. The course approach is interdisciplinary with special attention given to political, economic, social, historical, and cultural patterns that mark globalization processes. Specific topics to be explored are the environment, migration, human rights, peace, conflict, global trade, and economic linkages.

Required for Interdisciplinary Studies majors, this course covers diverse topics from modern physical and political geography to cultural and historical perspectives, including population, migration, and culture. It aims to prepare students for the PRAXIS exam and teaching license state exams and how to integrate geography into lesson plans for advanced education studies.

This course allows students to examine social, economic, and political determinants of healthcare systems and the evolution of various systems around the world over the last few decades. Students will compare theories of health policy and priorities, models of government intervention in providing healthcare and insurance, financing, planning, education, and training.
Prerequisite: Take GS-101 and GS-150

This course will introduce the concept of cultural perceptions about health and disease in diverse communities worldwide, and how to develop cultural awareness and humility in healthcare contexts. We will explore how culture may impact health beliefs, health status, and access to health services. We will also consider the ideas of health and social justice and health as a human right in developing, middle income, and developed nations. Relevant sociocultural theories will also be addressed.

This course will introduce students to current and historical issues and controversies of human rights and social justice through case studies, lectures, and group work.

Topics include the causes of war, case studies of major wars, theories of instinctual aggression, psychological behavior, ethnicity, national interests, imperialism, economics, international systems, and other topics.

Focuses on the role of international organizations in coordinating relations between countries with specific reference to the United Nations. Impact of other international organizations on international relations including WTO, IMF, and EU is also examined. Course includes a trip to the United Nations.

Course explores both the history of armed political dissent and current forms of terrorism. Case studies range from the Irish Republican Army, Hamas, and African National Congress among others. Examines definitions of terrorism and methods employed by governments to suppress dissent. Balance between liberty and security during "war on terror" is also examined.

Examines themes of American foreign policy. Topics include containment, deterrence, detente, changing bases of national power, foreign policy development, terrorism, narcocriminality, and environmental issues.

Problems and prospects of the Middle East. Area history, culture, Islam, intrusion of the West, oil, impact of personalities, Arab-Israeli problem, modernization, and Islamic fundamentalism are studied.

An introduction to the political culture and structures of Latin America. Explores key themes and challenges for the region, including democratization, economic development, violence and revolution, militarism, and the relationship with the United States.

Explores South Asia as a region with special emphasis on India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Domestic and international politics of these countries are examined along with bilateral relations. Role of South Asia in a globalized world is studied in light of growing political, cultural, and economic interdependence.

Examines Africa as it has evolved over the years under outside influence-colonial rule, post-colonial or Cold War period, and under globalization during the 1990s. Explores reasons for political conflict in Africa and barriers to conflict resolution. Africa's economic resurgence in the twenty-first century is also examined.

A comparative analysis of several European political systems. Similarities and differences are explored with respect to governing structures, political culture, and patterns of political behavior.

Themes and concepts related to the expanding field of political psychology. Topics include the impact of media, nationalism, extremism, and security. The psychology of leadership is examined through case studies.

Examines rise and evolution of Islamist political movements which emanate from their distinct identity from Islam. Foundational ideas and values are explored.

This course focuses on the fundamental questions surrounding the nature, purpose, and legitimacy of law, while also examining various philosophical perspectives that underpin legal systems. Students will study both classical and contemporary thinkers to better understand the moral and ethical foundations of law, the concept of justice, and the relationship between law and society.

Prepares students to participate in the fourday mock Model UN conference organized in the spring. Preparation includes position papers on issues specific to UN General Assembly Committees. Sacred Heart students represent an assigned country and participate in making policies and adopting resolutions in favor of their country.

An interdisciplinary course that lies at the crossroads of economics and politics. Explores the dynamic interplay between politics and economics in shaping developments in the global economy. Specific topics to be covered include the politics of international trade and finance, economic development, regional integration, and the role of financial institutions such as the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank.

Traces the development of international law and reviews principles and cases in major topical areas.

This course will introduce students to current and historical issues and controversies of human rights and social justice through case studies, lectures, and group work.

Investigates the philosophical foundations of political authority and social organization. Concepts such as freedom, equality, justice, and power are explored through engagement with primary texts.

Examines the subnational level of American politics. Topics include the constitutional position of state governments, federal-state interaction, financing of state governments, political parties, group activity, and public policies.

Focuses on the role of political parties in American democracy. Examines the structure and function of party organization, behavior of the American electorate, and effectiveness of parties in the governing process. Platforms and categories of minor parties are also discussed.

Examines the constitutional powers of Congress, historical development, legislative process, and relationship with executive branch of government.

Traces the role of the chief executive in the American political system. Attention is given to the evolution, functions, and limits of executive leadership. Relationship with Congress, public opinion, and impact of individual presidents are explored.
Prerequisite: Pre: PO-121

Explores the various dimensions of presidential elections and controversial issues associated with the selection process. Topics include delegate selection, national conventions, voting behavior, role of media, campaign finance, the electoral college, campaign strategies, and presidential debates.

This course offers an overview of how media and politics are essential for social justice. Students will explore the current state of media practices, political organizing, message development, and policy efforts as part of social change.

Catholic intellectuals and jurists have exerted deep influence on political and legal traditions in Europe as well as the United States. This course examines Catholic perspectives on law and justice in terms of their historical trajectory as well as their impact on contemporary American society.

Examines the theories and practices surrounding popular government from its origins to the present day. Topics include representation, presidentialism, and democratization.

The Constitution of 1787 was based on speculation and a series of untested principles: a territory as large as the United States can be self-governing; self-interest can be made to serve the common good; and minority rights can be protected in a system based on majority rule. This course examines documents related to the founding and other readings that shape, question, and are inspired by political life in our country.

This course studies progressive political thinking as a general philosophic approach and as an evolving movement and body of thought in the United States. We will focus on America's founding documents and follow progressivism from the late nineteenth century to the issues and events of the present day.

What conservatives have in common is an unwavering reverence for history and tradition. Consequently, what it means to be a conservative is determined by time and place. This course examines many variants of conservatism, including eighteenth-century Europe and the contemporary United States.

Examines the foundation of and challenges to market capitalism, including the role of the state, the market as a means of social organization, and the relationship between capitalism and democracy.

Problems and prospects of the Middle East. Area history, culture, Islam, intrusion of the West, oil, impact of personalities, Arab-Israeli problem, modernization, and Islamic fundamentalism are studied.

An introduction to the political culture and structures of Latin America. Explores key themes and challenges for the region, including democratization, economic development, violence and revolution, militarism, and the relationship with the United States.

Explores South Asia as a region with special emphasis on India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Domestic and international politics of these countries are examined along with bilateral relations. Role of South Asia in a globalized world is studied in light of growing political, cultural, and economic interdependence.

Examines Africa as it has evolved over the years under outside influence-colonial rule, post-colonial or Cold War period, and under globalization during the 1990s. Explores reasons for political conflict in Africa and barriers to conflict resolution. Africa's economic resurgence in the twenty-first century is also examined.

A comparative analysis of several European political systems. Similarities and differences are explored with respect to governing structures, political culture, and patterns of political behavior.

Themes and concepts related to the expanding field of political psychology. Topics include the impact of media, nationalism, extremism, and security. The psychology of leadership is examined through case studies.

Models of policymaking. Examines government policies toward civil, gender, and minority rights, crime, health, welfare, education, environment, and other areas.

Overview of the major issues and themes affecting education policy in the U.S. Historical, political, and social setting of American education are explored with special focus on the major actors involved in the policymaking process.

Examines rise and evolution of Islamist political movements which emanate from their distinct identity from Islam. Foundational ideas and values are explored.

Examines the judiciary's role in the American political process. Topics include the nature of law, political influence in judicial decision-making, court organization, judicial recruitment, and the powers and limitations of the judiciary.

This course focuses on the fundamental questions surrounding the nature, purpose, and legitimacy of law, while also examining various philosophical perspectives that underpin legal systems. Students will study both classical and contemporary thinkers to better understand the moral and ethical foundations of law, the concept of justice, and the relationship between law and society.

Prepares students to participate in the fourday mock Model UN conference organized in the spring. Preparation includes position papers on issues specific to UN General Assembly Committees. Sacred Heart students represent an assigned country and participate in making policies and adopting resolutions in favor of their country.

Traces the development of international law and reviews principles and cases in major topical areas.

An inquiry into American constitutional law through the study of outstanding cases. Attention is given to the development of constitutional doctrines and the processes of legal reasoning.

Examines U.S. Supreme Court cases involving the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Special attention is given to the balance between personal liberty and societal order.

This course will introduce students to current and historical issues and controversies of human rights and social justice through case studies, lectures, and group work.

Examines the subnational level of American politics. Topics include the constitutional position of state governments, federal-state interaction, financing of state governments, political parties, group activity, and public policies.

Focuses on the role of political parties in American democracy. Examines the structure and function of party organization, behavior of the American electorate, and effectiveness of parties in the governing process. Platforms and categories of minor parties are also discussed.

Examines the constitutional powers of Congress, historical development, legislative process, and relationship with executive branch of government.

Traces the role of the chief executive in the American political system. Attention is given to the evolution, functions, and limits of executive leadership. Relationship with Congress, public opinion, and impact of individual presidents are explored.
Prerequisite: Pre: PO-121

Explores the various dimensions of presidential elections and controversial issues associated with the selection process. Topics include delegate selection, national conventions, voting behavior, role of media, campaign finance, the electoral college, campaign strategies, and presidential debates.

This course offers an overview of how media and politics are essential for social justice. Students will explore the current state of media practices, political organizing, message development, and policy efforts as part of social change.

Examines themes of American foreign policy. Topics include containment, deterrence, detente, changing bases of national power, foreign policy development, terrorism, narcocriminality, and environmental issues.

Examines the theories and practices surrounding popular government from its origins to the present day. Topics include representation, presidentialism, and democratization.

The Constitution of 1787 was based on speculation and a series of untested principles: a territory as large as the United States can be self-governing; self-interest can be made to serve the common good; and minority rights can be protected in a system based on majority rule. This course examines documents related to the founding and other readings that shape, question, and are inspired by political life in our country.

Examines the foundation of and challenges to market capitalism, including the role of the state, the market as a means of social organization, and the relationship between capitalism and democracy.

Survey of organizational theories and professional skills useful to those contemplating public sector service. Addresses public service context, planning, budgeting, communication, leadership, and other skills.

Models of policymaking. Examines government policies toward civil, gender, and minority rights, crime, health, welfare, education, environment, and other areas.

Overview of the major issues and themes affecting education policy in the U.S. Historical, political, and social setting of American education are explored with special focus on the major actors involved in the policymaking process.

Examines the judiciary's role in the American political process. Topics include the nature of law, political influence in judicial decision-making, court organization, judicial recruitment, and the powers and limitations of the judiciary.

An inquiry into American constitutional law through the study of outstanding cases. Attention is given to the development of constitutional doctrines and the processes of legal reasoning.

Examines U.S. Supreme Court cases involving the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Special attention is given to the balance between personal liberty and societal order.